What to read next
10 books like A Storm of Swords
Jaime, Catelyn, Tyrion, Jon, Arya, and Sansa all face choices that alter how their earlier identities can be understood, while consequences cross viewpoint boundaries.
Read my review of A Storm of Swords by George R. R. Martin.
Best matches
Three strong places to start
If you only want three picks, start here.
Best overall
Fastest read
Best alternative
Choose by reading mood
Where to start
For the fastest pace
Golden Son
BalancedFor the darkest read
A Clash of Kings
ModerateFor the strongest romance
The Wolf and the Crown of Blood
CentralFor the easiest entry
The Will of the Many
AccessibleThe full shortlist
Why each book belongs here
See what each pick shares with A Storm of Swords, and where it goes in a different direction.
1
A Clash of Kings
- Pace
- Balanced
- Darkness
- Moderate
- Romance
- Minimal
- Difficulty
- Moderate
Why this matches
- Similar because
- A Clash of Kings supplies the sieges, rival kings, and divided loyalties whose consequences erupt in Storm. The same viewpoint structure lets private choices alter a war elsewhere.
- Different because
- Clash supplies the military and political setup; Storm delivers the greater emotional payoff.
2
A Feast for Crows
- Pace
- Measured
- Darkness
- Gentle
- Romance
- Minimal
- Difficulty
- Moderate
Why this matches
- Similar because
- A Feast for Crows stays with the survivors and institutions damaged by the victories in Storm. It is interested in what war leaves in villages, families, and bodies after the great reversal has passed.
- Different because
- Feast slows radically to examine survivors, institutions, and the social debris left by these victories.
3
Golden Son
- Pace
- Balanced
- Darkness
- Dark
- Romance
- Minimal
- Difficulty
- Accessible
Why this matches
- Similar because
- Golden Son shares Storm's appetite for alliances that change meaning without warning. Political performance, friendship, and family loyalty all become vulnerabilities during war.
- Different because
- Golden Son offers similarly aggressive reversals in a faster first-person science-fiction campaign.
4
A Game of Thrones
- Pace
- Balanced
- Darkness
- Moderate
- Romance
- Minimal
- Difficulty
- Accessible
5
Fire and Blood
- Pace
- Balanced
- Darkness
- Gentle
- Romance
- Minimal
- Difficulty
- Accessible
6
A Dance with Dragons
- Pace
- Balanced
- Darkness
- Gentle
- Romance
- Minimal
- Difficulty
- Moderate
7
Wind and Truth
- Pace
- Balanced
- Darkness
- Gentle
- Romance
- Minimal
- Difficulty
- Accessible
8
The Strength of the Few
- Pace
- Balanced
- Darkness
- Gentle
- Romance
- Minimal
- Difficulty
- Moderate
9
The Wolf and the Crown of Blood
- Pace
- Balanced
- Darkness
- Moderate
- Romance
- Central
- Difficulty
- Accessible
10
The Will of the Many
- Pace
- Balanced
- Darkness
- Gentle
- Romance
- Minimal
- Difficulty
- Accessible
Side-by-side
Pace, darkness, romance, and difficulty
| Book | Pace | Darkness | Romance | Difficulty |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| A Storm of Swords | Balanced | Moderate | Minimal | Accessible |
| A Clash of Kings | Balanced | Moderate | Minimal | Moderate |
| A Feast for Crows | Measured | Gentle | Minimal | Moderate |
| Golden Son | Balanced | Dark | Minimal | Accessible |
| A Game of Thrones | Balanced | Moderate | Minimal | Accessible |
| Fire and Blood | Balanced | Gentle | Minimal | Accessible |
| A Dance with Dragons | Balanced | Gentle | Minimal | Moderate |
| Wind and Truth | Balanced | Gentle | Minimal | Accessible |
| The Strength of the Few | Balanced | Gentle | Minimal | Moderate |
| The Wolf and the Crown of Blood | Balanced | Moderate | Central | Accessible |
| The Will of the Many | Balanced | Gentle | Minimal | Accessible |
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